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Essential Oil to Repel Mosquitoes: What Oils To Use and How to Use Them

May 19 2020

Written by Joshua Matzkin

parent spraying mosquito repellent on child

May 19 2020

Written by Joshua Matzkin

Summertime promises a ton of engaging, fun things to do, but it also brings forth a whole host of bothersome insects like mosquitoes. Luckily, natural repellents like essential oils hold the power to keep these nuisances at bay.

For certain species, their one major goal is to make feasts out of your blood. The irritating itching and the annoying buzzing sounds are hard to bear, especially when you're just trying to enjoy some time outside in nature or even a good night's rest. They can get into your home and their tiny bite can even transmit diseases.

While mosquitoes are important to maintain ecosystems (we can't get rid of them all, unfortunately), we can keep them out of our personal space.

Certain essential oils are quite effective and helpful in repelling mosquitoes, and are a natural alternative to the harsh chemicals in commercial bug sprays.

Here we discuss some tips to using essential oils and other natural repellents for mosquitoes and which oils are most effective.

Use of Natural DEET to Repel Mosquitoes

natural mosquito repellent

DEET is as effective as any other natural mosquito repellent. It is easily available and has no side effects for most people. But if you have sensitive skin or any other skin problem, then it may be disastrous.

Several studies revealed that DEET has some adverse health impacts on the human body. Some research has found that DEET can even promote the growth of tumors. Other outcomes include rashes, irritation to the skin, burning lips, nausea, and headaches.

It is better to avoid DEET and use other natural mosquito repellent options

Use of Essential Oils to Repel Mosquitoes

Essential oils are safe for humans and still effective in repelling insects. You can use various essential oils without worry. For most, and if properly diluted, they have no adverse health effects and can give you relaxing results immediately. It's essential to research before buying any oil to see if it is suitable for you or not. Allergies and your own personal skin sensitivities should be taken into account.

Try doing a patch test on a small portion of the skin at first. If you feel itching or any other uncomfortable feeling, discontinue use.

The following are some of the best essential oils that you can use to repel mosquitoes.

Citronella essential oil

Citronella is one of the top essential oils to use against mosquitoes. It is popularly used as an insect repellent. It can ward off fleas, head lice, and other insects, and is considered a mild and generally safe means of doing so.

Lemon Eucalyptus Essential Oil

Extracted from lemon eucalyptus trees, it has a pleasant scent of lemon, which makes it a good choice for diffusing in the home. Lemon eucalyptus oil also contains significant amounts of citronella.

A large number of users found lemon Eucalyptus essential oil more effective when compared with others including the Center for Disease Control. The CDC claims that the oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE or PMB) can be used as an effective repellent for mosquitoes.

Lavender essential oil

Lavender is beneficial for resisting mosquitoes. It has relaxing effects to heal the itching bites of mosquitoes and is also considered safe to use on children. Mosquitoes hate the scent of lavender, which helps to limit further bites.

Peppermint Essential Oil

Peppermint has benefits to repel mosquitoes as some researchers note the oil to have a strong repellent action against adult mosquitoes when applied to human skin.

It also helps people to keep mosquitoes out of the house when diffusing the peppermint oil in the air. Children usually love the refreshing fragrance of peppermint. The cooling sensation of peppermint oil mint can also ease itching.

Catnip Essential Oil

Also an effective natural repellent for mosquitoes, it is a member of the mint family that helps to repel mosquitoes and other insects.

A 2005 study published by the Journal of Medical Entomology examined the efficacy of catnip essential oil compared to DEET, their result shows catnip to outperform DEET.

Tea Tree Essential Oil

This oil is one of the great antiseptics. It has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. It's an excellent choice for healing mosquito bites. You can apply it directly to your skin after dilution for immediate results.

A 2014 study concluded that Tree Tree oil has insecticidal and repellent effects against the species of fly used in their study.

Clary Sage Essential Oil

The oil has a floral fragrance that can brighten your mood as it keeps the pests away. Clary sage (S. sclarea) has shown strong repellent properties according to a 2012 study, especially against the tiger mosquito (A. albopictus). You can also discourage mosquitoes from entering your home by putting the oil into a diffuser.

All of the oils mentioned above have a particular fragrance, and mosquitoes are repelled to all of these smells. Using such a scent that mosquitoes avoid discourages them from coming close.

Other scents include basil, garlic, rosemary, neem, marigold, etc. It is also important to note that insect repellents use different scents to conceal your body scent.

How To Make Homemade Insect Repellents

You can prepare your natural repellent at home by using the available essential oils and other ingredients. The following are some of the naturally produced repellents that you can make on your own.

Spray

Add an equal amount of vodka and witch hazel. Now add a double quantity of water to this mixture and add up to 100 drops of any available essential oil. Pour the liquid to a spray container, and your repellent is ready to use.

Ointments

For making mosquito repellent ointment, you have to melt down beeswax and coconut oil. Stir the mixture well and let it cool.

Once the liquid cools down, add 10 to 30 drops of essential oil. Blend the mixture well and store it in the refrigerator.

You must store your repellent in a dark blue or amber glass container. Always mix or shake the ingredients before using the repellent.

Personal Aromatherapy Diffusers

MOXĒ aromatherapy diffusers and nasal inhalers are artfully-crafted with their signature organic essential oil blend. All organic ingredients are sourced within the United States and come from premium essential oil companies, meaning you get only the best!

Just look for one that has at least one of the essential oils mentioned above. For example, MOXĒ Dream Diffuser's main ingredient is lavender! Simply take this portable diffuser on your next outdoor adventure and stay mosquito-free

If you're interested in purchasing a high-quality and ready-to-use product then you can visit us at BE MOXĒ.

Conclusion

While we know DEET is an effective repellent against mosquitos, multiple studies have shown DEET to be harmful to humans. This brings many of us to seek clean and natural alternatives to DEET like essential oils. Oils like lavender and peppermint are great for mosquito repellents, and many experts recommend them as they do not appear to cause any know human toxicity after dilution.

Whether applied topically, sprayed, or diffused through a room diffuser, the essential oils highlighted above can make your summer nights worry-free and bug-free.